Being a Disney World Cast Member isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Not many Cast Members will tell ya that, but I will!
The hours are long, the weather is HOT, and people can have some not-so-magical attitudes. I used to work at the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom, and although most of my friends were my fellow maids, I did have a few friends in other roles. Well, friends talk, and you find out the BEST roles to have at Disney World, and you find out the WORST roles to have at Disney World. The consensus among Cast Members might surprise you!
Now, I truly believe that there is value and magic to be made in every single role at Disney World. The parks and hotels truly would not be what they are without every single person who works there. However, there are a few jobs that a lot of folks go into the experience NOT wanting. Like, they’re vehemently opposed to these jobs. Let’s talk about it!
Quick Service Food Locations
When it comes to quick service food locations, a lot of folks don’t like the work because it’s like working at a fast food joint. You’re handling and distributing raw and prepackaged foods, working in an extremely fast-paced and often HOT environment, and dealing with hungry folks all day.
Plus, you do rotate throughout your shifts to positions that require you to keep the dining room clean and clean up after folks. Other times, you might be handling transactions at checkout. While a LOT of folks enjoy their quick service jobs, most of my friends didn’t! And that’s okay!
Click here to check out our favorite THEME PARK seafood fast food spot
ESPN
ESPN Wide World of Sports is located on Disney World property and hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, from runDisney to cheer and dance competitions. A shift at ESPN during these times can include selling merchandise, handing out packets and information, distributing race bibs, and even just…standing there.
The worst part about this job is during the off-season when nothing is happening, though. The Cast Members either just stand around, help stock, or they’re deployed to other locations — which is often stroller parking at the parks.
Anywhere in Magic Kingdom
While Magic Kingdom is my favorite park to visit, I will admit that I had a few qualms with working there. For one, it’s always very busy. Another, it’s often open later than a lot of the parks. This usually wasn’t an issue, but on the nights that I worked extended evening hours, it wasn’t unusual for me to work from 7PM to 2AM. And then, after I drove home and got ready for bed, I was in bed at like 3:15AM.
It wasn’t bad, but I won’t say that the weird schedule didn’t annoy me at times. I also know that a lot of pals of mine didn’t enjoy the many, many, many children that were running around the park. Personally, I love kiddos, and this was one of the many highlights of my job. However, it’s not for everybody.
Click here for some Magic Kingdom SECRETS
Well…is it what you expected? While I know several people who worked in all of these (and even worked in Magic Kingdom myself) and enjoyed their jobs, they do have the potential to be not-so-magical. But, the good news is that if you keep an open mind and focus on the tiny ways you can make magic and sunshine happen during every shift, your experience has the potential to be phenomenal. I just know it!
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Kurt Owens says
As a Cast Member in Magic Kingdom Entertainment I found one of the best jobs was working in what was called the “Gantry”. We would prepare the daily afternoon parade by cleaning all the floats and seeing that all props like balloons on the Gazebo were in place. Once that parade was ready we would check all the lights on floats of the Electric Light Parade (remember THAT?)
Frequently this job also meant that we would be driving floats in one or both parades. One of my favorite floats at the time included the Liberty Belle Riverboat float from waaaaay up at the top! I wore the basic Cast Member costume for the riverboat and felt very, very important!
Also fun was portraying Stromboli and driving the Pinocchio marionette stage float.
And as a Traditions Assistant I was able to remind my classes that every job can be tough and a challenge at times, and I found it was important to suggest that Cast Members that when their day was particularly challenging, to go and ride Space Mountain two or three times, or one of the other attractions at another park and remember what it is about Disney, the parks and resorts that drew them. Sometimes talking to a guest while riding to EPCOT could change my outlook. I loved being a Cast Member!
December says
I and a friend got summer jobs there in 79,89? The work wasn’t easy or glamorous, like cooking fries or working the front ringing up customers. The latter was the dream job. Lots of work all day. We also had a night shift cleaning the restaurant cooking equipment all night until it was perfect.
We had lots of fun, but it was all work and the pay by the hour was the best in the country. Double minimum wage.